July 18 '08: The Disaster Zone blog reported on a new Internet technology which allows blind persons access the web without the expensive technology typically needed. The WebAnywhere alpha release is an open source project which was developed by researchers at the University of Washington.

In a YouTube clip the researchers show how those without site are able to access the Internet, create documents and gather email using any computer which has access to the Internet. That kind of enabling technology will help other local and state efforts by emergency management officials to provide outreach to the blind and deaf communities during an emergency.

Additionally, the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network was created with the mission to extend emergency preparedness best practices to the deaf and blind community. The organization "aims to broaden the scope of awareness and preparedness between emergency responders and deaf and hard of hearing consumers prior to the occurrence of natural and man-made disasters," the website read.